Do You Want Someone To Know What Your Life is Like?

Oh To Be A Child Again! Oh, Really?

At times someone will exclaim, “Oh, if I could only return to being a child again!” I am not sure that is really what I would wish for myself. Oh, there are things I would love to “do over”. A child’s world is simpler in some ways, but in others it isn’t. They are totally at the mercy of their care givers (parents in most cases, right?) Well, as adults we can do some things for ourselves, for sure, but we can’t do everything for ourselves and can do nothing without the loving provision from our God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We focus today on the need for Attention. Here is the definition we are using-

“Conveying appropriate interest, concern, and care; taking thought of another; entering another person’s ‘world’ “

The opposite of Attention is “neglect”.

How can we meet Attention for others?

1. We do it almost every day, especially as parents. We play with our kids. We enter their world.
2. We feed, nurture, try to talk their language.
3. We discover needs and meet them the best we can as entering their world reveals what they need from us.
4. Adults have a “world” too with its own set of needs and wants. So we try to understand our spouse’s world. I Peter 3:7
5. Ask or observe what is important to your spouse then ask or create ways to enter that world.
6. If they exercise, exercise with them.
7. If they shop, shop with them; not to buy but to be with them.
8. Discover how or if you can get to a place to be with them or facilitate what is important to them.
9. My wife loves kids – ours and others – so I try to make it possible for her to be freed up to serve kids or I serve kids with her….just as an example.

What if the need is met and you enter their world?

1. They are not alone and neither are you.
2. They know you care because you took the time to find out or figure out areas that are important to them.
3. You joined them or made it possible for them to spend more time doing what is valuable to them.
4. Whether their world consists of kids, work, activities, quiet times, games, exercise, reading, hobbies, service, etc., it will be important to ask your spouse, friend, child, co-worker etc. what their world really is. Save yourself and them lots of frustration by discovering and entering their world.

I spoke to a friend today about how to find a way to enter his wife’s world because she and he are too busy. We discussed the idea of them controlling their schedule and planning 1-day or more getaways each month. They need time to discover each others world and what it is like.

What if the need for Attention is not me:

1. Aloneness is the result. Neglect is felt.
2. Bad things can happen when spouses don’t know or take time to enter each other’s world. Of course, sex counts but will probably not be enough focused time to actually get to know each other’s heart, priorities and dreams.
3. A vacuum may be created where someone else looks like or feels like a better candidate to remove aloneness in the future. That’s where affairs can germinate.
4. You may miss out on knowing the real heart and soul of the person closest to you.
5. It is vital for you to get to know the world of your child, if you are a parent, or a child in need, regardless of whether you are the parent.

Did Jesus enter our world and meet our need for Attention?

1. Of course, He did. He came from heaven to earth born of a virgin.
2. He loved all those He served and offered forgiveness and a new life.
3. He died on the cross and rose again to give us eternal life.
4. He ascended to heaven and makes intercession for us even now.
5. He sent the Holy Spirit as His gift to us until we are with Him in heaven.
6. He lives inside each of those who call on Him for mercy and forgiveness receiving the Gospel truth.
7. He is coming back to take us to be where He is.
8. He entered our physical world and is willing to enter the world of our very life.

Are you well aware of your spouse’s/friend’s world? Do you know her/his likes, dislikes, dreams, passions, visions, interests, and have you found ways to enter that world or invite him/her into yours?

Please know that the love you need to give him/her is found only in a love relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. We don’t have it without Him. How deeply He has proved His love and still does.